Petroleum marketers in Akwa Ibom resume sales of products; As Gov. Eno sets up petroleum taskforce
By Dennis Udoma, Uyo
The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), in Akwa Ibom has called off it’s 2 – Day strike and ordered immediate sales of petroleum products to motorists and members of the public.
The suspension follows the intervention by the State Governor, Pst. Umo Eno after an emergency meeting with members of IPMAN and allied unions yesterday (Wednesday ) at Government House, Uyo to address the sudden energy crisis in Akwa Ibom.
IPMAN, on Tuesday night had issued communication through its Chairman and Secretary, Comrades Francis Udoyen and Ekom Idemudo, calling out its affiliates for a showdown, following the impoundment of two petroleum tankers belonging to some marketers at Ibaka, Mbo Local Government in May this year, by Army personnel in the area.
Arising from the face – off, petrol pump price suddenly spike from N1, 500 to N2, 000 per liter in official market and N2, 500 at the black market, while some service stations remained locked and keyed in adherence to the union’s directive.
Governor Umo Eno, after he was briefed on the matter, met with the leaders of key unions in the petroleum downstream – sector to address the issues that led to the imbroglio and subsequent ban on the sale of petroleum products in the state.
He acknowledged that, the matter falls outside his jurisdiction but, directed the Commissioner for Internal Security and Waterways, General Koko Essien Rtd, to liaise with the relevant authorities to ascertain the facts of the case.
In the same vein, Governor Eno expressed his commitment to exploring means for the establishment of a petroleum depot in Akwa Ibom State to mitigate the problem of petroleum products supply to the State.
The union leaders in their remarks, thanked the Governor for the proactive engagement and offered to resume supply of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) immediately to the public.
The meeting was attended by Sir Michael Udofia and Joseph Otu of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), Comrade Francis Udoyen and Joseph Okafor of the Petrol Tanker Drivers Association (PTD), as well as Comrade Godwin Okono and Comrade Raphael Chukwuwu representing the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG).
Meanwhile, the State Government has constituted the Petroleum Monitoring Committee with former House of Assembly member, Hon. Godwin Ekpo as Chairman.
Other members of the Committee are; Commissioner for Environment and Mineral Resources, Commissioner, Ministry of Internal Security and Waterways, SSA to the Governor on Petroleum Matters, NLC Chairman, representatives of NUPENG, IPMAN, SSG’s Office, Commissioner of Police, DSS, Commander 2 Brigade, Ministry of Information and Ministry of Transport.
A letter signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Prince Enobong Uwah confirmed that, the Committee would be inaugurated on Friday September 27, 2024 at the Exco Chambers in Government House, Uyo.
The establishment of the Committee by the Governor was in response to the threat by NLC’s notice of service withdrawal should the marketers continued with their illegal strike.
The labor union had called on the Governor to immediately inaugurate the Petroleum Monitoring Taskforce, as he promised during the state’s 37th anniversary celebration to check the activities of petroleum marketers in Akwa Ibom.
